A COUNCILLOR demanded answers after a Kilwinning school was charged £900 by council chiefs to hire its own facilities.
Joe Cullinane went in front of North Ayrshire Council bosses this week to find out why Kilwinning Academy had to pay to hire its own school hall and music department for events held outside of school hours in the last year.
At the full council meeting on Wednesday, November 4, Councillor Cullinane claimed the school was charged for its production of Grease, the first school play to be performed in some time.
Councillor Cullinane has raised a number of issues relating to Kilwinning Academy in recent months following his crusade to bring more funding to the school.
He, along with the school’s Parent Council, recently handed over a petition with 1,000 signatures to the council demanding more investment.
Councillor Cullinane urged NAC to rethink its policy on the issue.
He said: “Kilwinning Academy’s production of Grease was outstanding and was enjoyed by all who attended it.
“The pupils involved excelled and a great deal of work had been done by the staff to see school plays return after a long absence. 
“Is it right then that the school should be charged over £900 by North Ayrshire Council to use its own school facilities to put on the show?
“How does that encourage our schools to play an active role in their communities?
“How does it encourage schools to provide the extracurricular opportunities that help our young people grow their confidence and reach their potential?
“School budgets are stretched, so much so that parent councils, not just here in North Ayrshire but across Scotland, are using their fundraising efforts to buy essentials such as school jotters. 
“Asking them to spend money from their school budget to put on events, which are of huge benefit to their pupils, in their own school is wrong, puts up barriers which prevent schools playing an active role in the wider community and the policy should be reviewed.”
The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald previously revealed figures obtained by Councillor Cullinane showing that the Dalry Road school had received less capital investment than any other secondary school in North Ayrshire.
But North Ayrshire Council say the school has been refunded for the charge.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The majority of our out-of-hour school lets are to external organisation who are charged for using our facilities.
“To ensure our letting system captures all lets, schools are initially charged for hires, however, this is then credited back to them.
“This was the process followed recently with Kilwinning Academy and we can confirm that they have now been credited back the full amount.”